Probolomyrmex salomonis

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Probolomyrmex salomonis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Proceratiinae
Tribe: Probolomyrmecini
Genus: Probolomyrmex
Species: P. salomonis
Binomial name
Probolomyrmex salomonis
Taylor, 1965

Probolomyrmex salomonis casent0172413 profile 1.jpg

Probolomyrmex salomonis casent0172413 dorsal 1.jpg

Specimen labels

This species is restricted to the Solomon Islands where it is known from a handful of collections made in forested situations. The holotype was collected in a Berlese funnel sample of leaf mould from the floor of undisturbed rainforest, at an elevation of about 1000 feet.

Identification

Petiolar node relatively long and narrow (best viewed dorsally), the dorsal face (in side view) uniformly convex and without a separation of the anterior and dorsal faces; anterior projection of the subpetiolar process broadly rounded, the posterior projection in the form of a blunt tooth.

Probolomyrmex salomonis is most similar to Probolomyrmex simplex from Papua New Guinea. It differs in having the anteroventral tooth of the subpetiolar process broadly rounded rather than narrow and tooth-like, the lateral flanges on the posterior face of the propodeum more weakly developed and in having the foveae on the mesosoma and gaster more strongly developed.

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -9.480969° to -10.60000038°.

 
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Indo-Australian Region: Solomon Islands (type locality).

Distribution based on AntMaps

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Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Countries Occupied

Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species.
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Estimated Abundance

Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species.
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Biology

Castes

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

  • salomonis. Probolomyrmex salomonis Taylor, 1965d: 358, figs. 20, 21 (w.) SOLOMON IS (Guadalcanal I.).
    • Type-material: holotype worker.
    • Type-locality: Solomon Is: Guadalcanal, Honiara, Mt Austen, 25.ii.1963 (P.J.M. Grenslade).
    • Type-depository: MCZC.
    • Status as species: Brown, 1975: 11; Bolton, 1995b: 366; Shattuck, Gunawardene & Heterick, 2012: 47 (redescription); Sarnat, et al. 2013: 74.
    • Distribution: Solomon Is.

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.

Description

Worker

HL, 0.59 mm.; HW, 0.38 mm.; SL, 0.37 mm.; Cl, 64; SI, 97; WL, 0.79 mm.; PW, 0.30 mm.; dorsal petiole width, 0.17 mm,; petiolar node index, 57; petiolar height, 0.28 mm.; petiolar node length, 0•26 mm.; lateral petiolar index, 93. Habitus similar to that of Probolomyrmex dammermani and Probolomyrmex greavesi. Head narrower than in these species, with occipital border moderately concave. Scapes relatively as long as in dammermani, somewhat longer than in greavesi. Eyeless. Mandible with a large acute apical tooth followed by a series of six denticles, distal one of which slightly enlarged. Visible terminal maxillary and labial palpomeres proportioned as in Probolomyrmex angusticeps. General form of mesosoma as in P. dammermani. Declivitous face of propodeum, viewed from above, moderately concave, depth of concavity about one-third distance between dorsal corners of posterolateral propodeal lamellae. Posterior face moderately concave in side view, its surrounding flange feebly emarginate at dorsal mid-line. Subpetiolar process well developed, similar to that of P. greavesi, but shallower and with ventral edge distinctly concave in side view.

Pilosity reduced, as is normal for the genus; pubescence extremely fine and very sparse, most abundant on second segment of gaster, virtually lacking on head, mesosoma and node. Sculpturation almost exactly as described above for P. dammermani. Colour rich golden-brown, as in the type of P. dammermani.

Type Material

Holotype worker. SOLOMON ISLANDS: Guadalcanal, Mt. Austen, Honiara, 25.ii.1963 (P. J. M. Greenslade). The unique holotype is deposited in the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University.

References

  • Shattuck, S.O., Gunawardene, N.G. & Heterick, B. 2012. A revision of the ant genus Probolomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Proceratiinae) in Australia and Melanesia. Zootaxa 3444: 40–50.
  • Taylor, R. W. 1965d. A monographic revision of the rare tropicopolitan ant genus Probolomyrmex Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Trans. R. Entomol. Soc. Lond. 117: 345-365 (page 358, figs. 20, 21 worker described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • Brown W. L., Jr. 1975. Contributions toward a reclassification of the Formicidae. V. Ponerinae, tribes Platythyreini, Cerapachyini, Cylindromyrmecini, Acanthostichini, and Aenictogitini. Search Agric. (Ithaca N. Y.) 5(1): 1-115.
  • CSIRO Collection
  • Shattuck S. O., N. R. Gunawardene, and B. Heterick. 2012. A revision of the ant genus Probolomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Proceratiinae) in Australia and Melanesia. Zootaxa 3444: 40-50.
  • Taylor R. W. 1965. A monographic revision of the rare tropicopolitan ant genus Probolomyrmex Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London 117: 345-365.